The way Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger describes it, he's approaching rehabilitation from back surgery in a similar manner to how he succeeds on an NBA court -- slowly and steadily, with a specific goal in mind and a calculated plan to reach it.

During a Stay in School assembly Thursday at Northeastern's Matthews Arena for 1,500 middle school students from Boston public schools, Sullinger called his rehab "a 10-week process," adding that he and the team's medical staff "bump it up 10 percent every two weeks."

According to ESPN Boston, Sullinger resumed light workouts about two weeks ago. The 21-year old said he expects to be 100 percent by September or October.

"Everyone says (the word) back with a question mark, but you might as well put an X through that," Sullinger said, according to the Boston Herald. "I had surgery, I’m taking my time so there won’t be any recurring injuries."

Sullinger repeated multiple times that he's "taking it slow," indicating that his back issues -- which dated back to before the NBA Draft -- kept him from showcasing his full talents.

"Honestly, when I was playing, I was playing on one leg," said Sullinger. "My right leg was pretty much dead. I couldn’t push off, didn’t have any strength behind it. With the right leg being the way it was, and still being able to produce the way I did, I guess it sets a bit of a foundation, but mentally I know I can play better."